
210 Green Composites from Natural Resources
10.4.1 natural ruBBer
Since bers cannot transfer loads from one to the other, they have limited use in
engineering applications. When they are embedded in a matrix material to form
a composite, the matrix serves to bind the bers, transfer loads to the bers, and
protect them against environmental attack and damage due to handling. The matrix
has a strong inuence on several mechanical properties of the composite such as
modulus and strength, shear properties, and properties in compression. Physical and
chemical characteristics of the matrix such as melting or curing temperature, viscos-
ity, and react ...